This Surprising Actor Beats Sunny Deol & Shah Rukh To Become Highest-Grossing Bollywood Actor Of 2023

Interestingly, even with this formidable feat, neither Sunny Deol nor Shah Rukh Khan emerges as the highest-grossing star of 2023. The spotlight falls on a surprising name – Manish Wadhwa. Known for his intense portrayals, Wadhwa essayed villainous roles in both “Pathaan” and “Gadar 2.”

In “Pathaan,” he masterfully portrayed the character of Pakistani army general Qadir, who enlists the services of John Abraham’s Outfit X to orchestrate an attack on India. Switching gears, in “Gadar 2,” Wadhwa took on the role of the main antagonist, Pakistani army general Hamid Iqbal, who seeks to avenge the deaths of 40 soldiers from his nation. His on-screen brilliance and undeniable charisma contributed significantly to the films’ success.

Remarkably, the cumulative impact of his roles has translated into tremendous box-office returns. Manish Wadhwa’s portrayal in “Pathaan” contributed ₹525 crore to his earnings, and with the projected ₹500 crore from “Gadar 2,” his total earnings in India will surpass ₹1000 crore.

While Manish Wadhwa’s unexpected achievement is a noteworthy highlight of 2023, the battle for the top spot is far from over. Shah Rukh Khan, poised to take the lead with the upcoming release of “Jawan” on September 7, is generating high expectations among trade circles. With the anticipation of an even more impressive box office performance than “Pathaan,” the Atlee directorial might just cement Shah Rukh Khan’s position as the ultimate box office king of 2023.